If you've ever considered buying a large lightbox to take pictures of your handmade designs, take a look at this tutorial from Candy at Candied Fabrics before you do.  You may be surprised that with a little know how and elbow grease, you can do it yourself.  Let's learn!

For starters, let's see what we're making:

Copyright Candy Glendening/Candied Fabrics.

Pretty large lightbox, eh?

Here's what we need:

• 4 clip lights
• 1 yd. of white curtain sheer (110" long)
• 2 yds. of white fleece
• 4 trumpet top bulbs
• 3/4" PVC pipe
• 3/4" PVC elbows and T-connectors (4 of each)
• PVC cutting tool
• PVC glue
• scrap wood
• screws

1.) Out of the PVC pipe, cut:

• (4) 24" legs
• (2) 22" leg connectors and (2) 32" leg connectors

You can use these numbers as a guide to make whatever size lightbox you need.

2.) Next, glue the PVC elbow connectors to one end of each of the 24" legs.

3.) Using small scraps of PVC tube, connect each of the elbows to a T-connector. (See below.)

4.) Glue the 22" PVC pipe leg connectors into each T-connector.  This will help form each of the sides of the lightbox. (See below.)

5.) Insert the 32" PVC pipe leg connectors in to the open sides of the t-connector.  Leave these unglued so you can break down your lightbox for storage when not in use.

Now you have the frame of your lightbox complete! 

Quick Tip: If you end up needing to add more height to your lightbox, you can just use some more PVC pipe and a few connectors and attach them to the bottom of each leg.  Just keep them unglued so you can break it down for storage or when you don't need the height.  (See left.)

Next, you'll need to attach your lights to the frame.

6.) Screw the wood scraps in to the frame, using a nut to secure the wood.  (See below.)  You'll clip your lights to these later.

Next we'll work on the background fabrics.

7.) With your polyester fleece, sew a tube at the top.  This will fit around the back 32" PVC pipe.  Holding taut, clip the sides of the fabric to the back legs and drape fabric over table to the front.  (See below.)

8.) Drape the white curtain sheer across the top of the frame and down the sides.

9.) Clip the lights to the wood.

10.) Clip the sheer down to the pipe.

11.) Take pictures!

Thanks, Candy, for sharing your tutorial!  And if you're curious about the end result of Candy's photography, check out some great pictures of her hand-dyed scarves.  She captures the colors wonderfully!